The Illinois Senate passed a balanced budget, on time, in bipartisan fashion, according to State Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington).

“I’m pleased that we’ve put together a full-year, balanced budget which is the product of hard work, tough choices and bipartisan cooperation.  However, there should be no victory laps,” said Sen. Barickman. “The public expects us to pass balanced budgets every year, just as they expect us to cooperate in a bipartisan manner together to solve the problems facing our state.  We cannot move soon enough on those issues which must be addressed if we’re going to create a competitive environment that encourages job growth.”

The budget continues the state’s progress on providing an equitable and adequate funding system for schools by sending an additional $350 million through the evidence-based funding model for the coming year. The budget also cuts over $1 billion in costs and spending that had been set to kick in without the passage of a spending plan. The budget also begins to reverse the cuts to institutions of higher education by providing an increase of 2% funding.

“This budget includes important funding increases for our schools, which will help them to better prepare our students to be successful in the increasingly competitive global economy,” said Sen. Barickman.

The budget package is currently in the hands of the Illinois House and a vote is expected today (5/31) to end the legislative session on time.

Story courtesy of Mike Brooks